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James (Jimmy) Earl Carter, a Democrat and former Georgia senator, is elected president
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Carter pardons Vietnam War draft dodgers
This was known as Proclamation 4483 or the Granting Pardon for Violations of the Selective Service Act. Certificates were issued to those who were pardoned. -
Panama Canal Treaty and Neutrality Treaty passed
These treaties declared that the United States and Panama would have joint control over the Panama Canal through December 31, 1999, when full control of the canal would be turned over to Panama, and ensured that the canal would be neutral and open to vessels from any nation. -
National Energy Act
This act, which was passed in response to the 1973 energy crisis, established energy goals including reducing United States oil use in order to decrease its dependence on oil and increasing the use of sustainable energy sources -
Jimmy Carter signs Camp David Accords
The Camp David Accords were peace treaties between Israel and Egypt, signed by Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian president Anwar Sadat at Camp David in Maryland. They were a major start to peace between the countries, which have historically been enemies. -
BONUS: President gets attacked by rabbit
Jimmy Carter was attacked by a rabbit while on a fishing trip. This, of course, was sensationalized by the media, who called it a "killer rabbit" -
Department of Education was established
This was established to collect information on United States public schools, and exists to this day, and "establishes policy for, administers, and coordinates most federal assistance to education" (from ed.gov) -
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was passed
This act designated over 100 million acres of federal land in Alaska as areas of conservation, which included national parks, national wildlife refuges, designated wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, and more. -
Iran Hostage Crisis Negotiations and Algiers Accords
President Carter formally accepted the Algiers Accords, which demanded the return of the American hostages in Iran, but also unfroze $7.9 billion of Iranian assets, ensured the termination of lawsuits Iran faced in America, and demanded a United States pledge that it would not interfere in Iranian affairs